Helen Alicia Pontius formerly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died November 29, 2012, in the Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky, at the age of 64 years.

Helen Alicia Pontius was born on January 6, 1948, in Blackwell to Robert Lee and Hazel Allene (Stoner) Berline. She grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public Schools and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1966. She furthered her education by attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater where she participated in the Cowboy Marching Band for three years before receiving an Associate of Arts degree. She married Eldon Glen Pontius on September 7, 1969, in Blackwell and they settled in El Toro, California. In 1970 they returned to Stillwater and re-entered O.S.U. In January of 1971 they moved to Andrews Air Force Base where she worked in civil service. In 1974 they returned to El Toro and she continued in civil service until the base closure in 1999. Following her retirement they remained in California until 2003 when they moved to Cadiz, Kentucky, where she resided at the time of her death.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Blackwell and attended the Bethel United Methodist Church in Cadiz, Kentucky. She also held membership in the Trigg County/Lyon County Newcomers, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Gamma Gamma Sorority, Eastern Star and Rainbow. She served as the area coordinator for foreign exchange students in southern California, and hosted several students over many years. She was also a member of the Cadiz Lions Club and served as the first woman president. She also served as the 2011-12 District Governor of District 43K in Kentucky. She was active in the Military Officer Association of America and served as secretary of the Orange County, California Chapter and the Ft. Campbell Chapter in Cadiz. She loved her dogs, Heidi, Mitzi, GiGi, Taffy, Dutchess, CoCo and Muffin. She enjoyed shopping, bunco, and entertaining friends and family from around the world.

She is survived by her husband, Eldon Pontius of Cadiz, Kentucky; a sister, Desma Logsdon and husband David of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; a nephew, Heath Downs and wife Stephanie of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces, Hilary Penrod and husband Nic of Bixby, Oklahoma, and Hannah Alicia Downs of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; foreign exchange students, Jo Lovik, Mira Hakala, Ann Louise Lokholm, Sophie Rosenqvist, Jasmin Wegener, Veronica Engstrom and Judith Bruinsma; and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 6th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Heath Downs, NIc Penrod, Dean Keith, Chad Pontius, Brandon Pontius and Kelly Collyar. Honorary casketbearers will be Jon Ihrig, Charlie Lawhon, Bill Docking, Kenny Werner, Hal Bragg, John Smith and Leroy Farabough.

Memorials have been established in her honor with the Military Officers Association of America Scholarship Fund, the Cadiz Lion's Club Scholarship Fund or the American Lung Association in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 7:30 on Wednesday evening at the funeral home.